Christmas Cookie

December so often flies by full of festive parties, shopping, and family time. This is the first December in a long time I have actually had time to just sit and be. Since Mr. D and I are not going home for the holiday's,  I am looking forward to the the first holiday I can remember to just be home, watching movies and clearing out the DVR.

There are still a few things that I must have every Christmas. Stockings with chocolate, at least 4 different kinds of cookies, a tree, and copious amounts of food (even if there will only be two of us this year-there will still be food for an army).

Two of these are currently finished. I have my kitted out tree, and yesterday began my annual cookie bake-off. It started with a trip to the local American Food store (great small place near Holland Park) to pick up the peanut butter, marshmallows and as always a People magazine. Then I baked- traditional sugar cookie cut outs and peanut butter blossoms. (Chocolate Chip and some Rice Krispie treats to come!) I took them to a dinner party last night and was given the comment-"You are so American." What is so "American" about baking cookies? I thought it was just festive. I do have to say that cookies are a much better tradition that Christmas pudding, which most people do not like, but make anyway, and mince pies which while tasty, are not things you can continually sneak into your mouth all day long and not feel minced out.

And now back to today's awesomely bad entertainment-High School Musical 3. (It's not Glee, but it is satisfying my need for entertainment that spontaneously breaks into song.)

And that's how Sarah C's it.

Recipe of the Day (courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens)
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Bake-10 minutes per batch    Oven-350 F (180 C)
Makes-about 50 cookies
Ingredients
1/2 c shortening
1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 egg
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 c all purpose flour
1/4 c granulated sugar
Milk chocolate kisses or stars

1. Beat shortening and peanut butter with an electric mixer until blended. Add 1/2 c granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla. Beat in as much flour as you can, stirring in any remaining.

2. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the remaining granulated sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on an cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or ungreased until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of the cookie. Transfer to a wire rack and cool.